Explanation at your level:
If you are a judge, you say 'not guilty.' This is to acquit. It means you are free. You did not do the bad thing.
When someone is in court, the judge decides if they are guilty. If they are not guilty, the judge will acquit them. It means the person is free to go home now.
Acquit is a legal word. It means to declare someone innocent. If a jury says you are innocent, they acquit you. You can also use it to talk about how you behave. If you do a good job in a hard test, you acquit yourself well.
In legal English, to acquit is to find a defendant not guilty of a specific charge. It is a formal term used in news reports and trials. Beyond law, the reflexive form acquit oneself is used to describe how someone performs in a challenging situation, usually implying a sense of duty or skill.
The verb acquit carries a formal register, primarily associated with the judiciary. Its etymological link to 'settling a debt' remains visible in its usage, as one is 'cleared' of the burden of an accusation. In a broader, idiomatic sense, acquit oneself serves as a sophisticated way to describe an individual's conduct when faced with adversity, suggesting that they have met the expectations of the situation.
Historically rooted in the concept of financial discharge, acquit has evolved into a cornerstone of legal terminology. Its usage requires precision; one is typically acquitted of a charge. The reflexive acquit oneself is a nuanced construction, often found in literary or formal journalistic prose to denote the successful navigation of a trial or ordeal. Mastery of this word involves recognizing its shift from the literal legal domain to the metaphorical realm of personal conduct and integrity.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Acquit means to declare not guilty in court.
- It also means to perform well in a challenge.
- The noun form is acquittal.
- It is a formal word used in legal settings.
When you hear the word acquit, think of a courtroom scene. It is the moment a judge or jury declares that a person is not guilty of the crime they were accused of. It is a very specific legal term that carries a lot of weight.
However, acquit has a second, more personal life. When we say someone acquits themselves well, we mean they handled a difficult situation with grace or skill. Whether you are facing a tough exam or a high-pressure presentation, how you acquit yourself shows your true character.
The history of acquit is quite fascinating! It comes from the Old French word aquiter, which means to set free or pay up. It shares roots with the word quit, which originally meant to pay off a debt or settle an account.
In medieval times, if you were acquitted of a debt, you were essentially 'cleared' of your obligation. Over centuries, this idea of being 'cleared' moved from the world of money and debt into the world of law and justice. Today, it remains a formal way to describe being released from a legal burden.
In legal contexts, you will often hear phrases like acquit the defendant or acquit of all charges. It is a formal word, so you would rarely use it in casual conversation unless you are discussing news or legal dramas.
When using the reflexive form, acquit oneself, it is almost always followed by an adverb like well, bravely, or admirably. For example, 'She acquitted herself well during the interview' is a very common way to praise someone's performance under pressure.
While acquit is a formal verb, it appears in several strong expressions.
- Acquit oneself well: To perform successfully in a difficult task.
- Acquit oneself with honor: To act with integrity during a challenge.
- Acquit of blame: To officially remove responsibility from someone.
- Acquit the conscience: To feel free from guilt or worry.
- Acquit the debt: To pay what is owed and be free.
The verb acquit is regular, but watch out for the spelling when adding suffixes! The past tense and past participle is acquitted (with a double 't'). This is because the stress is on the second syllable.
Pronunciation-wise, it sounds like uh-KWIT. It rhymes with words like fit, bit, and sit, but with the stress firmly on the second part. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually needs an object, like 'The jury acquitted the man.'
Fun Fact
It used to mean paying money to be free from a duty!
Pronunciation Guide
uh-KWIT
uh-KWIT
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'c' as 'k' too hard
- Adding an extra syllable
- Misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate, legal term.
Formal usage required.
Rare in daily speech.
Common in news.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Passive Voice
He was acquitted.
Reflexive Verbs
She acquitted herself.
Past Participle Spelling
Acquitted (double t).
Examples by Level
The judge said he is not guilty.
judge = legal person
simple past
The jury said he is free.
He did not do it.
The court is finished.
He is not in jail.
The man is happy now.
The trial is over.
He is innocent.
The jury will acquit the man.
They decided to acquit him.
He was acquitted of the crime.
The court acquitted the driver.
She was acquitted yesterday.
The case ended in an acquittal.
They were acquitted by the judge.
He is glad to be acquitted.
The jury took two hours to acquit him.
She acquitted herself well in the debate.
He was acquitted of all charges.
The evidence was not enough to convict, so they acquitted.
He acquitted himself with great courage.
The lawyer asked the jury to acquit.
They were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
She acquitted herself admirably under pressure.
The defendant was acquitted of all counts of fraud.
He acquitted himself honorably during the crisis.
The judge directed the jury to acquit the suspect.
She managed to acquit herself well in the high-stakes meeting.
The trial resulted in the man being acquitted.
They were acquitted after a long legal battle.
He acquitted himself of his duties with precision.
The state failed to prove the case, leading to an acquittal.
The high-profile trial ended when the jury chose to acquit.
She acquitted herself with such poise that the critics were silenced.
Despite the overwhelming pressure, he acquitted himself with dignity.
The court saw fit to acquit the accused of the minor charge.
He was acquitted of the crime, yet his reputation remained damaged.
The team acquitted themselves well in the championship match.
She has acquitted herself of the responsibilities assigned to her.
The legal team fought hard to ensure their client was acquitted.
The jury's decision to acquit was met with thunderous applause.
He acquitted himself with a level of maturity that belied his age.
Having been acquitted of the charge, he sought to rebuild his life.
The politician acquitted herself well during the grueling interrogation.
The evidence was insufficient to sustain a conviction, necessitating an acquittal.
She acquitted herself of the task with remarkable efficiency.
The historical record shows he was acquitted of treason.
The accused was acquitted, yet the shadow of doubt lingered.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Acquit oneself"
To perform in a certain way
He acquitted himself like a true hero.
neutral"Acquit of all suspicion"
To be cleared of doubt
She was finally acquitted of all suspicion.
formal"Acquit the debt"
To pay off a burden
He worked hard to acquit his debt to society.
literary"Acquit with grace"
To handle a situation well
She acquitted herself with grace during the crisis.
neutral"Acquit the record"
To clear one's history
He hoped the verdict would acquit his record.
formalEasily Confused
Similar spelling
Acquire means to get; acquit means to free.
I acquired a book, but the judge acquitted the man.
Part of the word
Quit means to stop; acquit is legal.
He quit his job after being acquitted.
Opposite meaning
Convict is guilty; acquit is innocent.
The jury will convict or acquit.
Similar meaning
Absolve is moral/religious; acquit is legal.
The law acquitted him; the church absolved him.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + was + acquitted + of + charge
He was acquitted of the crime.
Subject + acquitted + oneself + well
She acquitted herself well.
The jury + acquitted + the defendant
The jury acquitted the defendant.
Subject + failed + to + acquit
The evidence failed to acquit him.
To + acquit + is + to + clear
To acquit is to clear a name.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
5
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Acquit is for legal innocence, quit is for stopping.
Double the t before adding -ed.
Acquit is a verb; acquittal is the noun.
Acquire means to get; acquit means to clear.
You are acquitted OF a crime, not FOR it.
Tips
The 'Quit' Trick
Remember that you 'quit' the trial when you are acquitted.
Reflexive Usage
Always use 'oneself' when talking about performance.
Courtroom Drama
Watch legal shows to hear it used naturally.
The 'of' rule
Always use 'of' after acquitted.
Stress the second
Say uh-KWIT, not AH-kwit.
Spelling
Don't forget the double t in acquitted.
Debt History
It used to mean paying a debt!
Flashcards
Pair it with 'innocent' on your cards.
Formal Context
Use it in essays, not text messages.
Verb Patterns
It is almost always a transitive verb.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-QUIT: You QUIT the prison because you are free.
Visual Association
A judge hitting a gavel and saying 'Not Guilty'.
Word Web
Challenge
Use 'acquit oneself' in a sentence about a sports game.
Word Origin
Old French / Latin
Original meaning: To pay off a debt
Cultural Context
None
Commonly heard in true-crime podcasts and courtroom dramas.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Legal Trial
- The jury acquitted
- Acquitted of all charges
- Verdict of acquittal
Performance Review
- Acquitted herself well
- Acquitted with honor
- Acquitted the task
News Reporting
- Suspect acquitted
- Courtroom acquits
- Case results in acquittal
Historical Accounts
- Acquitted of treason
- Acquitted by the king
- Acquitted of the accusation
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever watched a trial where someone was acquitted?"
"How do you think someone should acquit themselves in a hard interview?"
"Do you know the difference between acquit and convict?"
"Why do you think the word 'acquit' is so formal?"
"Can you think of a character in a book who was acquitted?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to perform well under pressure (acquit yourself).
Describe what a courtroom feels like when someone is acquitted.
Why is it important for the legal system to have an 'acquit' option?
If you were a judge, would you find it hard to acquit someone?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it can also mean to perform well.
Acquitted.
It is common in news and law, but rare in casual chat.
Acquittal.
No, it means to clear of a legal charge.
It is a bit formal for a child.
Yes, it implies freedom.
No, it rhymes with quit.
Test Yourself
The judge said he is not guilty. The judge will ___ him.
Acquit means not guilty.
What does 'acquit' mean?
Acquit is to declare not guilty.
You can acquit yourself in a test by doing well.
Yes, it means to perform well.
Word
Meaning
These are opposites.
Correct passive structure.
Score: /5
Summary
To acquit is to set free from a legal burden or to perform with excellence in a difficult situation.
- Acquit means to declare not guilty in court.
- It also means to perform well in a challenge.
- The noun form is acquittal.
- It is a formal word used in legal settings.
The 'Quit' Trick
Remember that you 'quit' the trial when you are acquitted.
Reflexive Usage
Always use 'oneself' when talking about performance.
Courtroom Drama
Watch legal shows to hear it used naturally.
The 'of' rule
Always use 'of' after acquitted.
Example
The jury decided to acquit him after the new evidence surfaced.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
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abfinor
C1A formal term denoting the absolute and final settlement of a legal dispute or the conclusive discharge of a financial obligation. It signifies the definitive point at which all parties are released from further claims or responsibilities regarding a specific matter.
abfortious
C1To abfortious is to strengthen a logical argument or a formal claim by providing additional, even more compelling evidence. It describes the process of reinforcing a conclusion so that it follows with even greater certainty than initially established.
abide
C1To accept or act in accordance with a rule, decision, or recommendation. It can also mean to tolerate or endure a person or situation, typically used in negative constructions.
abjugcy
C1The state or act of being unyoked or released from a bond, burden, or state of servitude. It describes a liberation from metaphorical yokes such as oppressive systems, heavy responsibilities, or restrictive contracts.
abolished
B2To formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution, especially one that has been in existence for a long time. The act of abolishing something is a decisive and official termination, often done by law or through an executive order.
abrogate
C1To formally repeal, abolish, or do away with a law, right, or formal agreement. It typically refers to an authoritative or official action taken to end the validity of a legal or political document.
abscond
C1To depart suddenly and secretly, often to avoid detection or arrest for an unlawful action. It is typically used when someone leaves a place with something they are not supposed to have, such as stolen money or information.
absolve
C1To formally declare someone free from guilt, obligation, or punishment, especially after a legal proceeding or a religious confession. It suggests a complete release from the consequences or blame associated with an action.
accomplice
C1An accomplice is a person who helps someone else commit a crime or a dishonest act. This individual is legally or morally responsible for their involvement, even if they were not the primary person performing the act.
accord
C1A formal agreement or treaty between parties, or a state of harmony and consistency between different things. As a verb, it means to grant someone power or status, or to be consistent with a particular fact or rule.
